Slat conveyor with fixed and movable slats

ABSTRACT

Movable conveyor slats ( 12 ) have side parts ( 74, 76 ) which rest on top parts of bearings ( 92 ). The bearings ( 92 ) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings ( 52, 54, 54 ′) which extend outwardly and slope upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat ( 10, 10 ′). Fixed conveyor slats ( 10, 10 ′) have base portions ( 18, 18 ′) and upper insert portions ( 20, 20 ′). The inserts ( 20, 20 ′) have downwardly extending ribs ( 62, 64 ) on their sides which extend into upwardly opening grooves ( 48, 50 ) in the base portions ( 18 ). The movable slats ( 12 ) have web ( 80, 82 ) and lower flange portions ( 84, 86 ) which with the side parts ( 74, 76 ) of the slats ( 12 ) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings ( 52, 54, 54 ′) and the bearings ( 92 ) are received within the channels ( 88, 90 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to improvements in slat conveyors composed offixed and movable slats. More particularly, it relates to an improvedconstruction of the fixed slats making it relatively easy to install thefixed slats on a base structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/221,295, filed Aug. 7, 2008, andentitled Reciprocating Slat Conveyor With Moving Slats Between FixedSlats discloses a conveyor which is in substance like the conveyor ofthis invention except for the construction of the fixed slats. Thecontents of Ser. No. 12/221,295 are incorporated herein.

Reciprocating slat conveyors comprise elongated conveyor slats whichform the floor of a trailer or other container. One form of knownreciprocating slat conveyor is composed of alternating fixed slats andintermediate movable slats. Typically, this type of conveyor hasupwardly concave fixed slats and upwardly convex movable slats. Materialdeposited on the conveyor slats is moved by the movable slats. Thematerial that is on the fixed slats between the movable slats is movedalong with the material that is moved by the movable slats. The materialbetween the movable slats becomes interlocked with the material on themovable slats, causing it to move with the material on the movableslats.

The fixed slats of the conveyor are installed first on a supportstructure and then the movable slats are installed on the fixed slats.There is a need for facilitating the procedure of mounting the fixedslats on the support structure, including the use of fasteners that canbe installed from above. The primary object of the present invention isto fill these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The improved conveyor of this invention comprises a plurality oflaterally spaced apart, laterally extending, fixed conveyor slats. Italso comprises a plurality of laterally spaced apart, longitudinallyextending, movable conveyor slats. Each of the movable conveyor slats ispositioned laterally between a pair of fixed slats. The fixed slats havea unique construction. Except for two fixed slats at the two sides ofthe conveyor, each of the fixed slats include a base having a bottom andtwo spaced apart side parts connected to and extending upwardly from thebottom. Wings extend upwardly and laterally outwardly from the sideparts of the base. There is an open space between the side parts andabove the center of the bottom. This allows access to the bottom of thebase from above the slat. Each side part of the base has a top portioncomprising an inner part and an outer part spaced outwardly from theinner part. The inner and outer parts extend longitudinally of the fixedconveyor slat. Each fixed slat also has a longitudinally extendinginsert positionable between the wings. Each insert has a pair of sideparts and a center part between the side parts. The side parts of theinsert sit down onto the top portions of the side parts of the base.

In preferred form, the top portions of the side parts of the baseinclude upwardly opening, longitudinally extending recesses. Preferably,the side parts of the insert are received in the recesses.

A further preferred feature is the provision of longitudinally extendinggrooves in the recesses, and the provision of longitudinally extending,downwardly directed ribs on the insert. Each rib is sized and shaped tofit within the groove in the top portion of its side part of the base.

This construction of the fixed slat makes possible the provision offastener-receiving openings in the bottom of the base, between the sidepart of the base, usable for receiving fasteners for securing the baseto a structure below the base.

Additional features, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the description of the embodiments and principles that aredescribed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings, and:

FIG. 1 is an exploded end view of a two-part fixed slat, such viewshowing a central insert part spaced above a base part;

FIG. 2 is a view of the parts of FIG. 1 in an assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end view of a reciprocating slat conveyor thatincludes the fixed slat construction shown by FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary pictorial view of the conveyor shown by FIG. 3,showing the fixed and movable slats of the conveyor in cross section;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The aforementioned U.S. application Ser. No. 12/221,295 illustrates areciprocating slat conveyor having laterally spaced apart,longitudinally extending, fixed and movable conveyor slats, all of whichextend the full length of the conveyor. In a typical conveyor, the slatsmay be about forty feet in length. The fixed slats are laterally spacedapart and the movable slats are laterally spaced apart. Each movableslat may be between two adjacent fixed slats. A typical conveyor maycomprise thirty-six slats, eighteen fixed slats and eighteen movableslats. However, the length and width of the conveyor and the number ofslats can vary.

FIGS. 1-4 herein show a conveyor that is basically like the conveyordisclosed in Ser. No. 12/221,295. It is composed of laterally spacedapart fixed conveyor slats 10 and laterally spaced apart movableconveyor slats 12. The movable slats 12 may be like the movable slats inSer. No. 12/221,295. The fixed slats 10 are in some respects like thefixed slats in Ser. No. 12/221,295. They differ in the way that they aremounted and the way that they are constructed in order to facilitate themounting. Referring to FIG. 3, the fixed slats 12 are shown to beconnected to a base 14 by bolts or screws 16. Bolts 16 are pictured inFIG. 3. When I-beams are used for the substructure (FIG. 4) self-tappingscrews can best be used to connect the bottom 22 to the upper flange ofthe beam 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixed conveyor slats 10 are shown tocomprise a base 18 and a top insert 20. The base 18 comprises a bottom22 and two spaced apart side parts 24, 26. The side parts 24, 26 areconnected to the bottom 22 and extend upwardly from the bottom 22. Sideparts 24, 26 may comprise outside walls 28, 30 and inside walls 32, 34.The outside walls 28, 30 extend upwardly from the outside boundaries ofthe bottom 22. The inside walls 32, 34 extend upwardly from centralregions of the bottom 22. The side parts 24, 26 include top portions 36,38, composed of inner parts 40, 42 and outer parts 44, 46. The inner andouter parts 40, 42 and 44, 46 extend longitudinally of the base 18 andare separated by longitudinally extending grooves 48, 50. The fixedslats 18 also include a pair of opposite side wings 52, 54 that extendupwardly and laterally outwardly from the side parts 24, 26. The fixedslat 18 includes a longitudinally extending top insert 20 that ispositionable between the side parts 24, 26 of the base 18. The insertincludes side parts 56, 58 connected by a center part 60. Longitudinalribs 62, 64 may project downwardly from the side parts 56, 58 of theinsert 20. The ribs 62 are sized and shaped to fit within the grooves48, 50, as shown by FIG. 2. These ribs 62, 64 also add structuralsupport between wings 52, 54.

FIG. 3 shows the mounting bolts 16 extending downwardly through openingsin the central portion of the bottom 22. The bases 18 of the fixed slats10 are set down onto a base member (FIG. 3) or cross members 14′ (FIG.4). The bolts 16 are then inserted down through openings in the bottom22 and are screwed into the base member 14. Then, the insert 20 isinstalled and may be attached to the base 18. The insert 20 is designedto be removable from the base 18 for different reasons. First, removingthe insert provides access to the bolts 19 for removing the slatinstallation or repair. Second, the insert 20 may be replaced due towear, as needed. The insert 20 may also be made of a different material(e.g. high density plastic relative to other parts).

Referring to FIG. 3, the particular fixed slat 10 that is shown by anddescribed in conjunction with, FIGS. 1 and 2 is positioned betweenadjacent movable slats 12. Fixed slats 10′ of a modified constructionare used at the two sides of the conveyor where the conveyor meets theside walls of the container in which the conveyor is situated. As shownby FIG. 3, fixed slat 10′ is like slat 10 but minus one wing. Also, theinsert 20 has a left side 56′ that bends upwardly against container sidewall 70. The same fixed slat 10′ is used on the opposite or right sideof the conveyor. However, it is turned end-for-end so that the wing 54′is on the left side of the fixed slat 10′ and the upstanding sideportion 56′ is on the right side of the slat 10′, against the right sidewall (not shown).

The movable slats 12 may be like the movable slats that are disclosed inSer. No. 12/221,295. Referring to FIG. 3, the movable slat 12 has a topsection 72 composed of side parts 74, 76 and a central part 78. Asclearly shown by FIG. 3., the movable slat 12 has a laterally outwardlyopening channel shaped portion on each of its sides. The side portions74, 76 of the top 72 form upper flanges 74, 76. A pair of webs 80, 82extend downwardly from the top section 72, and curve outwardly to form apair of lower flanges 84, 86. Outwardly opening channel spaces 88, 90are defined by and vertically between the flanges 74, 84, and 76, 86.The inner boundaries of the channel spaces 88, 90 are closed by the webs80, 82. The web 80 and the flange 84 form a downwardly and outwardlyextending hook on their side of the slat 12. The web 82 and flange 86form a downwardly and outwardly extending hook on their side of the slat12. The bottom surface of flange 74 and the top surface of flange 84slope downwardly as they extend outwardly. In similar fashion, on theopposite side of the slat 12, the lower surface of flange 76 and theupper surface of flange 86 slope downwardly as they extend outwardlyfrom the web 82. This results in two channel spaces 88, 90 slopingdownwardly and outwardly. In addition to forming the hooks, the webs 80,82 and the flanges 84, 86 strengthen the slat 12 as a structural member.

As disclosed in application Ser. No. 12/221,295, each of the wings 52,54, 54′ receive a bearing 92 that has a U-shaped cross sectionalconfiguration. The bearings 92 have a top part that sits down on the topof the wings 52, 54, 54′ and a bottom part that presses upwardly againstthe bottoms of the wings 52, 54, 54′. The bearings 92 are constructedform a self-lubricated plastic material. The lower surfaces of the upperflanges 74, 76 of the side parts of the slats 12 rest on the uppersurfaces of the bearings 92. When a movable slat 12 is on its fixed slat12, 12′, there is supporting contact between the lower surfaces of slatside parts 74, 76 and the upper surfaces of the bearings 92. The bightof the bearings 92 are sideways contiguous with the outer surfaces ofthe webs 80, 82. The lower part of the bearings 92 are contiguous withthe upper surfaces of the flanges 84, 86. If a slat should slidesideways, the leading web 80, 82 will contact the bight of the bearing92 that it confronts. If the slat 12 should move upwardly for anyreason, its lower flanges 84, 86 will contact the lower surfaces of thebearings 92.

In preferred form, the fixed slats 10,10′ and the movable slats 12 areextrusions made from a suitable aluminum alloy. Of course, they can bemade of other metals and can be made from various plastic and compositematerials as well.

As clearly shown by FIG. 3, when the bearings 92 are installed, theirupper parts overlap the side parts of the inserts 20. Then, when themovable slats 12 are installed their side parts press downwardly on thebearings 92, firmly holding them in place. Because of this construction,the inserts 20 are held in place relative to the base 18. They areprevented from lifting upwardly off of the base 18 by the bearings 92and the movable slats 12, until these items are removed for repairpurposes.

The illustrated embodiment is only an example of the present inventionand, therefore, is non-limitive. It is to be understood that manychanges in the particular structure, materials and features of theconveyor slats and bearings may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention. Therefore, it is our intention that our patentrights not be limited by the particular embodiment that is illustratedand described herein, but rather is to be determined by the claims whichfollow, interpreted in accordance with the established rules of patentclaim interpretation.

1. A reciprocating slat conveyor, comprising: a plurality of laterallyspaced apart, longitudinally extending, fixed conveyor slats; aplurality of laterally spaced apart, longitudinally extending, movableconveyor slats, each said movable slat being positioned laterallybetween a pair of said fixed slats; each said fixed slat including abase having a bottom and two spaced apart side parts connected to andextending upwardly from said bottom, and wings extending upwardly andlaterally outwardly from said side parts; each said side part of thebase having a top portion comprising an inner part and an outer partspaced outwardly from said inner part, said inner and outer partsextending longitudinally of the fixed conveyor slat; each said fixedslat having a longitudinally extending insert positionable between thewings, each said insert having a pair of side parts and a center partbetween the side parts, said side parts of said insert setting down ontop portions of the side parts of the base.
 2. The reciprocating slatconveyor of claim 1, wherein the top portions of the side parts of thebase include upwardly opening, longitudinally extending recesses and theside parts of the insert are received in the recesses.
 3. Thereciprocating slat conveyor of claim 2, wherein the recesses in the topportions of the side parts of the base includes laterally extendinggrooves, and wherein said side parts of the insert have longitudinallyextending, downwardly directed ribs, said ribs being sized and shaped tofit within the grooves in the top portions of the side parts of thebase.
 4. The reciprocating slat conveyor of claim 1, wherein the bottomof the base includes openings for receiving screws which function tosecure the base to a structure below the base.
 5. The reciprocating slatconveyor of claim 2, wherein the bottom of the base includes openingsfor receiving screws which function to secure the base to a structurebelow the base.
 6. The reciprocating slat conveyor of claim 3, whereinthe bottom of the base includes openings for receiving screws whichfunction to secure the base to a structure below the base.
 7. A fixedslat for a reciprocating slat conveyor, comprising: a base having abottom and two spaced apart side parts connected to and extendingupwardly from said bottom, for defining a space for a fastener toconnect the base to an underlying support; and a removable insertcovering the space, the removable insert at least partly providingsupport for at least one longitudinally extending, movable conveyorslat.